The regular October meeting of the Mercer County Amateur Radio Club was called to order on October 26, 2000 at 7:30 PM by Vice-President Chuck Paddock, K8CLP.  There were 19 members present.  All members present received the Carrier Wave.  A motion by Dennis Gregory, WM3H, and seconded by Steve Shemancik, AA3EW, to accept the September 2000 minutes passed.

Treasurer's Report:  Gordon Frissora, KZ3W, moved to accept the September treasurer's report as printed in the Carrier Wave. Tom Junk, W3GUN, seconded the motion.  The motion carried

EMA:  Chuck Paddock, K8CLP read the information about the drill on Sept. 23rd from the Carrier Wave.

VE Session:  Dennis Gregory, WM3H, reported that there were 5 applicants at the last VE Session:  2 upgrades to Extra and 2 new licensees to Technician.  The next VE session in Mercer will be on Saturday, December 16th at the EMA Building. Registration is at 9 AM.  Testing is at 10 AM.

Net/Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Good Hams:  No one met at last Saturday's 9:00 AM breakfast at Burger King on E. State St.  in Hermitage.  Five (5) attended the 11:30 AM Wednesday lunch at Burger King on Rt. 18 by Walmart.  No one attended last Friday's 8:30 PM dinner at The Cookery on Route 18.

Membership:  Mike Varga, NR3C, reported on the information I n the application for Gary W. Winemiller, KB3FPF.  Gary just passed his Technician exam at Beaver Falls.  Ed Bailey, N3KWI, suggested he join the Club.  Gary lives in West Middlesex. Ed Bailey, N3KWI, moved that he be accepted into membership. Tom Junk, W3GUN, seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS:  Special Event/Bicentennial:  It was reported that the Special Event station is still in operation.  There have been about 200 requests for QSL's with approximately 400 contacts.

Christmas Party:  The MCARC Christmas Party will take place on December 5th, 2000 at the Chestnut Street CafŽ.  Refer to the October Carrier Wave for details.  There is a correction to be made in Linda Yankovich's, N3XZA, address.  It should read: 1700 Ashton Ave., Sharpsville, PA 16150.  The deadline for reservations is Tuesday, Nov. 28th, the same date as the
next Club meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:  Repeater:  Gordon Frissora, KZ3W, mentioned that the MCARC does not have a back-up repeater system.  He and Dan Smith, K3DR, have been looking at some options.  Presently the price range for a repeater all in one box with 100 W out is around $2,500.  It was mentioned that the Club has two TR-7400's to use.  Presently the repeater puts out less that 100 W, with 25 W when on emergency power.  The repeater is about 25 years old.  Jerry Parkany, N8PY, suggested that the officers consider the direction to take at a December Board meeting and then create a committee to research the details.  Having equipment for a remote site was also discusssed.  Dave Magargee, N3CM,  mentioned there is a concern with ID'ing legally on the remote base.  A discussion took place concerning the history of the repeater, including the changeover from the Spring system.  It was mentioned  that the repeater is not accessible from the Grove City area.  This would be a problem at the G.C. hospital in the event of an emergency.  Pat Baker, N3IDG, reported that there are already 4 repeaters in the County that could be utilized in the case of an emergency.  Vice-President Chuck Paddock, K8CLP, appointed an ad hoc committee to deal with the repeater issues.  The committee includes:  Gordon Frissora, KZ3W, Chairman;  Pat Baker, N3IDG, Jim Gabriele, WB8DXB, Dennis Gregory, WM3H,  Jerry Parkany, N8PY, Doug Noderer, W3FYV, Chuck Paddock, K8CLP

BBS:  Gordon Frissora, KZ3W, reported that there has been one complaint about the BBS.  This was from Dave Menock, N8ZNE. He claims it is not working good for him.  The beacons in the area have been turned off.  A discussion was had on the legality of beacons.